Mark Metcalf

Last updated
Mark Metcalf
Mark Metcalf.jpg
Metcalf in 2005
Born (1946-03-11) March 11, 1946 (age 77)
Alma mater University of Michigan
Years active1971–present
SpouseElizabeth Wick (divorced)
Children1

Mark Metcalf (born March 11, 1946) [1] [2] is an American television and film actor often playing the role of an antagonistic and aggrieved authority figure. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

Contents

He is best known for his role as sadistic ROTC officer Douglas C. Neidermeyer in the 1978 American comedy film Animal House , [8] [9] [10] [11] a character he later emulated in the 1984 music videos for the songs "We're Not Gonna Take It" and "I Wanna Rock" by the heavy metal band Twisted Sister. [6] [9] [11] [12]

He is also known for playing the role of The Maestro on two episodes of the sitcom Seinfeld as well as for his recurring role as The Master on the supernatural drama series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off series Angel . [6] [8] [13] [14]

Early life

Metcalf was born in Findlay, Ohio. [11] [14] His father was a civil engineer. [9] [11] Metcalf was raised in Webster Groves, Missouri, [11] a suburb of St. Louis. In 1959, he moved with his family to New Jersey [14] where he attended Westfield High School, graduating in 1964. [15]

Metcalf enrolled in the engineering program at the University of Michigan. [11] [14] It was at university that he performed in his first stage play, which was a production of Shakespeare's Henry VI . [9] [14] His first professional acting job was with the Milwaukee Repertory Theater in 1971. [11] In the early 1970s, he moved to New York City performing in both classical and modern theater, eventually moving westward to work in film. [11] [14]

Career

Metcalf's first major Hollywood film role was that of ROTC cadet officer Douglas Neidermeyer in the 1978 comedy Animal House. [3] In 1984, Metcalf played characters similar to Neidermeyer in the Twisted Sister music videos for the songs "We're Not Gonna Take It", where he played an authoritarian father, and "I Wanna Rock", where he played an authoritarian high school teacher. [12] [13]

In the 1980s and 1990s, Metcalf landed guest roles on multiple television shows including Miami Vice , Walker, Texas Ranger and Party of Five . [11] [16] He also played recurring roles on shows such as Hill Street Blues , Teen Angel , Star Trek: Voyager , Ally McBeal and JAG . [11] [17] In 1993 he moved to Hollywood. [3]

One of Metcalf's more memorable television characters was his role in an episode during the seventh season of Seinfeld titled "The Maestro". [8] [13] [14] In the episode he played a self-absorbed conductor who was dating character Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and who insisted on being referred to as "Maestro". [5] [6] [9] Metcalf reprised the role in an episode later that same season titled "The Doll". [6] [18]

From 1997 to 2002, Metcalf played the vampire known as The Master on several episodes of the series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off series Angel . [6] [8] [18]

In 2000, Metcalf left Los Angeles and moved to Bayside, Wisconsin with his then wife, Elizabeth "Libby" Wick and their son, Julius. [11] [19] Metcalf had moved to Wisconsin to start a restaurant with his wife and with no intent on continuing with acting, due to raising a child with special needs. [9] [11] However, Metcalf was approached by the director of First Stage Children's Theater in Milwaukee to act in one of their plays and Metcalf went on to act in several of their productions. [8] [9] [11] In conjunction with the Milwaukee Film Festival, Metcalf produced a short film each year based on a screenplay written by a high school student enrolled in the Student Screenwriting Competition, a program developed by Metcalf to teach the craft of screenwriting to young people. [8] Metcalf also contributed articles about film as a correspondent for the online magazine OnMilwaukee. [8]

In 2009, Metcalf played the role of Mayor Johnson on an episode of the third season of Mad Men titled "Souvenir". [11] [13]

After moving to Missoula, Montana in 2013, Metcalf once again became involved in local theatre, playing the role of Scrooge in a production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol presented by the University of Montana School of Theatre and Dance. [5] [9]

In 2019, Metcalf played the role of Sheriff Roy in Tate Bunker's film The Field alongside Barry Bostwick and Veronica Cartwright. [20] Metcalf was the subject of Vera Brunner-Sung's documentary short Character that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2020. [21] Metcalf met Brunner-Sung through a mutual friend after moving to Columbus, Ohio. [21]

Personal life

Metcalf has one son, Julius, with Elizabeth "Libby" Wick. The couple moved from Los Angeles, California to Bayside, Wisconsin in 2000. They owned and operated a restaurant in nearby Mequon, Wisconsin called Libby Montana. [9] [11] [19] Metcalf filed for divorce in 2003 and since 2006 Wick has been the sole owner of the restaurant. [10] [19]

In 2013, Metcalf moved to Missoula, Montana, to be closer to Julius, who was a student at the University of Montana. [5] [9]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1977 Julia Pratt
1978 Animal House Doug Neidermeyer
1979 Chilly Scenes of Winter Ox
1980 Where the Buffalo Roam Dooley
1983 The Final Terror Mike
1984 Almost You Andrews
1985 The Heavenly Kid Joe Barnes
1986 One Crazy Summer Aguilla Beckersted
1988 Mr. North Mr. Skeel
1989The OasisEric
1991 Oscar Milhous
1995 A Reason to Believe Dean Kirby
1995RageLt. Gov. Dalquist
1996 The Stupids Colonel Neidermeyer
1997 Hijacking Hollywood Michael Lawrence
1997 Loose Women Director Marsh
1999 Drive Me Crazy Mr. Rope
2000The Million Dollar KidOfficer Bob
2002Britney, Baby, One More TimeBarfly
2002 Sorority Boys John Kloss
2002 Lone Hero Marshall Harris
2006The Legend TripCharles Knotting
2007The SleeperRichmond
2009 Modus Operandi Copper Gore
2011 Fort McCoy Mr. Gerkey
2011We Will Rock YouMajor Emile Hickory
2012 Playback Chris Safford
2012Little RedLou
2012The Smart OnesProfessor Faron
2013 Billy Club The Umpire
2014 Hamlet A.D.D. Speedy McSpitty
2017Manlife Alfred Lawson Voice
2018 A Futile and Stupid Gesture Second Publisher
2019The FieldSheriff Roy

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1975 Karen Jess WalkerEpisode: "I Gave at the Office"
1978 Julie Farr, M.D. BuddyEpisode: "Careers"
1979 Barnaby Jones Ted Parker2 episodes
1981 Breaking Away The RacerEpisode: "La Strada"
1981 Hill Street Blues Officer Harris4 episodes
1982 Teachers Only DavidEpisode: "Diana, Substitute Mother"
1983For Love and HonorMajor CamdenEpisode: "Rite of Passage"
1983 Hotel ChuckEpisode: "Confrontations"
1986 One Life to Live Stick3 episodes
1988 Miami Vice Agent BrodyEpisode: "Baseballs of Death"
1989 A Man Called Hawk Mr. KirkpatrickEpisode: "The Divided Child"
1991 L.A. Law Greg MorrisonEpisode: "As God Is My Co-Defendant"
1991 Dream On The CreatureEpisode: "The Second Greatest Story Ever Told"
1991Guilty Until Proven InnocentRon D'AngeloTelevision film
1991 A Woman Named Jackie George Smathers 2 episodes
1992 Dead Ahead: The Exxon Valdez Disaster Dennis KelsoTelevision film
1993 Renegade RussellEpisode: "The Champ"
1994 Silk Stalkings Scott FinnEpisode: "The Last Campaign"
1994 Walker, Texas Ranger Norval HayesEpisode: "Deadly Vision"
1994 Dead at 21 Sheriff SullivanEpisode: "Love Minus Zero"
1994 Touched by an Angel Nick MorrowEpisode: "The Southbound Bus"
1995 Melrose Place Det. Bob Wilkens2 episodes
1995, 1996 Seinfeld Bob Cobb
1996 Party of Five Mr. ReevesEpisode: "Unfair Advantage"
1997–1998 Teen Angel Roderick Nitzke7 episodes
1997, 1998 Ally McBeal Attorney Walden2 episodes
1997–2002 Buffy the Vampire Slayer The Master 8 episodes
1998 Star Trek: Voyager Hirogen Medic2 episodes
1999 JAG Captain Pike3 episodes
2000 Angel The MasterEpisode: "Darla"
2001 Warden of Red Rock Carl McValeTelevision film
2006 Video on Trial Abusive FatherEpisode #2.6
2009 Mad Men Mayor JohnsonEpisode: "Souvenir"

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ozaukee County, Wisconsin</span> County in Wisconsin, United States

Ozaukee County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 91,503. Its county seat is Port Washington, making it one of three Wisconsin counties on Lake Michigan not to have a county seat with the same name. Ozaukee County is included in the Milwaukee–Waukesha–West Allis, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mequon, Wisconsin</span> City in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin

Mequon is the largest city in Ozaukee County, in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, and the third-largest city in Wisconsin by land area. Located on Lake Michigan's western shore with significant commercial developments along Interstate 43, the community is a suburb in the Milwaukee metropolitan area. Despite being an incorporated city, approximately half of Mequon's land is undeveloped and agriculture plays a significant role in the local economy. At the time of the 2010 census the population was 23,132.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thiensville, Wisconsin</span> Village in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin

Thiensville is a village in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. Located on the west bank of a bend in the Milwaukee River, the community is bordered on all sides by the City of Mequon and is a suburb in the Milwaukee metropolitan area. The population was 3,235 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bayside, Wisconsin</span> Village in Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties, Wisconsin

Bayside is a village in Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 4,482 at the 2020 census. Of this, 4,378 were in Milwaukee County, and only 104 were in Ozaukee County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fonzie</span> Sitcom character

Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli, better known as "Fonzie" or "The Fonz", is a fictional character played by Henry Winkler in the American sitcom Happy Days (1974–1984). He was originally a secondary character, but was soon positioned as a lead character when he began surpassing the other characters in popularity. The Fonzie character was so popular that in the second season producers considered renaming the show to "Fonzie's Happy Days." To many, Fonzie is seen as the epitome of coolness and a sex symbol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexis Denisof</span> American actor

Alexis Denisof is an American actor, primarily known for playing Wesley Wyndam-Pryce in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off Angel. He also had a recurring role on How I Met Your Mother. His wife, Alyson Hannigan, starred in both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and How I Met Your Mother.

<i>Happy Days</i> American television sitcom (1974–1984)

Happy Days is an American television sitcom that aired first-run on the ABC network from January 15, 1974, to July 19, 1984, with a total of 255 half-hour episodes spanning 11 seasons. Created by Garry Marshall, it was one of the most successful series of the 1970s. The series presented an idealized vision of life in the 1950s and early 1960s Midwestern United States, and it starred Ron Howard as Richie Cunningham, Henry Winkler as his friend Fonzie, and Tom Bosley and Marion Ross as Richie's parents, Howard and Marion Cunningham. Although it opened to mixed reviews from critics, Happy Days became successful and popular over time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carroll O'Connor</span> American actor (1924–2001)

John Carroll O'Connor was an American actor whose television career spanned over four decades. O'Connor found widespread fame as Archie Bunker, the main character in the CBS television sitcoms All in the Family (1971–1979) and its continuation, Archie Bunker's Place (1979–1983). O'Connor later starred in the NBC/CBS television crime drama In the Heat of the Night (1988–1995), where he played the role of police chief William "Bill" Gillespie. In the late 1990s, he played Gus Stemple, the father of Jamie Buchman on Mad About You. In 1996, O'Connor was ranked number 38 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time. He won five Emmies and two Golden Globe Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. K. Simmons</span> American actor (born 1955)

Jonathan Kimble Simmons is an American actor. He is considered one of the most eminent character actors of his generation. He has appeared in over 200 films and television roles since his debut in 1986. He is the recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Golden Globe Award.

The Milwaukee metropolitan area is a major metropolitan area located in Southeastern Wisconsin, consisting of the city of Milwaukee and some of the surrounding area. There are several definitions of the area, including the Milwaukee–Waukesha–West Allis metropolitan area and the Milwaukee–Racine–Waukesha combined statistical area. It is the largest metropolitan area in Wisconsin, and the 39th largest metropolitan area in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wanna Rock</span> 1984 single by Twisted Sister

"I Wanna Rock" is a song written and composed by Dee Snider and performed by his band Twisted Sister. It was released on the 1984 album Stay Hungry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Homestead High School (Wisconsin)</span> Public secondary school in Mequon, Wisconsin, United States

Homestead High School is a four-year public high school located in Mequon, Wisconsin, United States, a northern suburb of Milwaukee. Part of the Mequon-Thiensville School District, it serves a 48-square-mile (120 km2) area including the city of Mequon and the village of Thiensville. The school opened in 1959 and educates nearly 1,300 students annually. Its graduation rate is 99%, and its most recent average composite ACT scores were 23.4, the seventeenth-highest of any public school in the state. Homestead is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

<i>Delta House</i> 1979 sitcom

Delta House is an American sitcom that was adapted from the 1978 film National Lampoon's Animal House. The series aired from January 18 to April 21, 1979 on ABC.

<i>The Stupids</i> (film) 1996 Canadian film

The Stupids is a 1996 adventure comedy film starring Tom Arnold and directed by John Landis. It is based on The Stupids, characters from a series of books written by Harry Allard and illustrated by James Marshall.

"Welcome to the Hellmouth" is the series premiere of the American supernatural drama television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It originally aired on The WB on March 10, 1997 in a two-hour premiere along with the following episode, "The Harvest". The episode was written by the series creator and executive producer Joss Whedon and directed by Charles Martin Smith. "Welcome to the Hellmouth" received a Nielsen rating of 3.4 upon its original airing and received largely positive reviews from critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stanley Anderson</span> American character actor (1939–2018)

Stanley Anderson was an American character actor who played Drew Carey's father on The Drew Carey Show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rebecca Kleefisch</span> 44th Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin

Rebecca Ann Kleefisch is an American politician and former television reporter who served as the 44th Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin from 2011 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, she was elected to the position on November 2, 2010, as the running mate of Governor Scott Walker; the pair narrowly lost reelection to a third term in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russell Thorson</span> American actor (1906–1982)

Russell Thorson was an American actor, perhaps best known for his co-starring role as Det. Lt. Otto Lindstrom in ABC's 1959–1962 hit crime drama, The Detectives Starring Robert Taylor.

<i>Alices Wonderland Bakery</i> American computer animated television series

Alice's Wonderland Bakery is an American computer-animated fantasy comedy children's television series created for Disney Junior by Chelsea Beyl, inspired by Alice in Wonderland (1951). The series centers on Alice, a young baker who works at the Wonderland Bakery and is the great-granddaughter of the original Alice Pleasance Liddell. Rosa—the Princess of Hearts—Hattie, and Fergie the white rabbit accompany her on her culinary explorations throughout the kingdom. The show intends to highlight the importance of food, which is used as a form of self-expression and creativity. Libby Rue, Abigail Estrella, CJ Uy, Jack Stanton, Secunda Wood, and Audrey Wasilewski voice the primary characters.

Sandy Ward was an American film and television actor. He was perhaps best known for playing the recurring role of "Logger Pete" on 11 episodes of the American sitcom television series Malcolm in the Middle.

References

  1. "Terrence Howard, Lisa Loeb: Today's celebrity birthdays list (March 11, 2017)". cleveland.com. Advance Ohio. March 11, 2017. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  2. "Celebrity birthdays, March 5–11". San Angelo Standard-Times. San Angelo, Texas. March 2, 2017. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 "Mr. Mean Guy". Variety. Los Angeles, California: Variety. September 18, 1995. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  4. Spears, Steve (June 11, 2010). "Bullies we love to watch". St. Petersburg Times. Tampa Bay Florida. Archived from the original on June 12, 2010. Retrieved December 29, 2017. In 1978's Animal House, Mark Metcalf played one of the most despicable bullies in film history, Doug Neidermeyer.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Walsh, Cory (November 20, 2014). "Veteran character actor Mark Metcalf plays Scrooge in UM production". Missoulian. Missoula, Montana. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Mark Metcalf". Hollywood.com. Archived from the original on June 5, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  7. Oztaskin, Murat (November 11, 2020). "The Price of Performance, in 'Character'". The New Yorker. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Olson, Drew; Tarnoff, Andy (February 22, 2008). "Milwaukee Talks: Actor/restaurateur Mark Metcalf". OnMilwaukee. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Fredrickson, Erika (November 20, 2014). "What do you want to do with your life?". Missoula Independent. Missoula, Montana. Archived from the original on 2015-03-28. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  10. 1 2 Horne, Michael (April 5, 2004). "The Roundup: Maestro Orchestrates Divorce". Urban Milwaukee. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Andrews, Tom (October 28, 2011). "'Animal House' Fan Favorite Metcalf Still Crafting Film and Stage Memories". Patch Media. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  12. 1 2 Titus, Christa (October 1, 2016). "7 Significant Moments in Twisted Sister's History". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Barrett, Annie (October 5, 2009). "From Maestro to Mayor: Mark Metcalf on 'Mad Men'". Entertainment Weekly. Time. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Willow, Jon Anne (December 1, 2004). "Mark Metcalf is the Accidental Actor". Urban Milwaukee. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  15. Weather Vane 1964, p. 62. Accessed August 23, 2018.
  16. Sanders, Steven (2010). Miami Vice. Contemporary approaches to film and television series: TV milestones. Detroit, Michigan: Wayne State University Press. p. 75. ISBN   9780814335413 . Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  17. Schuyler, David (December 10, 2000). "Actor buys Kelley's". Milwaukee Business Journal. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  18. 1 2 "Mark Metcalf - Credits". TV Guide. CBS Interactive. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  19. 1 2 3 "Business Spotlight: Libby Montana Bar & Grill". Mequon-Thiensville Today. Mequon and Thiensville, Wisconsin: The City of Mequon, the Village of Thiensville and the Mequon-Thiensville School District. August 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  20. Luhrssen, David (October 16, 2019). "Director Tate Bunker Talks About 'The Field'". Shepherd Express. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  21. 1 2 "Brunner-Sung's film "Character" premieres at Sundance". College of Arts and Sciences. Ohio State University. January 23, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020.